Ceramics never fail to impress. From the times of Chinese Ming vases to the present day, ceramics have held a special place in the hearts of lovers of ceramic ware. Annie Quigley has carried this art forward through her website, Quigley Ceramics.
Quigley creates luminous delicately-carved ceramic décor that requires both expertise and patience. Her inspiration comes from her frequent travels around the world, where she discovers the ceramic art of the countries she visits. For example, she has been inspired by the Islamic plaster works of the Alhambra in Spain, the Italian cathedral’s stained-glass windows, and even the light flickering through the redwoods in Yosemite.
Quigley’s process involves throwing a piece on the potter’s wheel and trimming it the next day. Carving of that piece starts after a few days. Once the carving is over, she applies a sponge and paintbrush on every cut to smooth the clay. The piece is then consigned to the furnace for two 24-hour firings and glazing.
According to her, this ancient technique is not easy, since it frequently results in cracks and warping. And it’s the most time consuming, too. Some pieces take months to finish. Her ceramic wares include vases, mugs, cups, bowls, plates and even pendants.
Of course, Quigley’s masterful execution usually brings magical results! Her aim in creating her ceramic art is always to bring joy and light into every home. So, it’s not surprising that her products have become prized possessions of people who buy them.
Quigley never wanted to be a ceramic artist. All she wanted was to be an actor. However, she had to take up the potter’s wheel to de-stress from the frustrations encountered in the film industry. The wheel throwing ignited the dormant artist in her and she took ceramic art full time. Today, her works are being appreciated on the internet and selling like hotcakes.
